The earth moves at airport as works re-commences after Hewatt's departure

By
TRACEY PRISK

June 6, 2014, 4 a.m.

Earthworks and road construction have re-started at Orange airport this week

BACK TO WORK: Total Surveying Solutions surveyor Dan Dimech with deputy mayor Chris Gryllis at the road works site near Orange Airport. Photo supplied

EARTHWORKS and road construction have re-started at Orange airport this week after the project was put on hold on May 7 when the former project manager Hewatt Earthworks was placed into voluntary administration.

Two weeks ago Orange City Council staff agreed to project manage the work which includes extending the runway, building new roads and general aviation facilities.

Deputy mayor and airport advisory committee chairman Chris Gryllis said he was pleased the project was back on track.

“The aim of taking over project management was to ensure council retained control over the project and got work back under way as soon as possible, and it’s terrific to see the work site is a hive of activity again,” Cr Gryllis said.

“Over the last weeks council has reached agreement with almost all of the former sub-contractors, and they’re now back at work,” he said.

Cr Gryllis said it was it was good to see so many “happy faces” on the job.

“It’s great for them to know they have jobs for the next few months and that they’ll get paid,” he said.

Cr Gryllis said council is continuing to negotiate with the remaining contractors.

Total Surveying Solutions is one of the sub-contractors with workers back on site.

Surveyor Dam Dimech said after being involved in the project’s early stages, he was pleased to be able to help finish the job.

Cr Gryllis said he expects the road extension to be completed in two to four weeks, weather permitting.

“The level of activity on the site is building up gradually and it’s expected further levels of the project will start again next week,” he said.

Council staff have been re-assigned to handle the project supervision work and two supervisors who were formerly working on the project for Hewatt Earthworks have been hired.

Cr Gryllis said work on the airport terminal was still on time and budget, and he expects it to be completed in the next eight to nine weeks.